Introduction
Can you pull a tooth at home? The short answer is, no. It’s never recommended. Pulling a tooth is something that should only be done by a dentist or an oral surgeon. Your mouth contains sensitive tissues and nerves, so it’s important to protect them by leaving the task of tooth extraction to those who are trained to take teeth without damaging those tissues or nerves. If done incorrectly, pulling a tooth can result in severe pain, infection, and serious injury to yourself or your children.
In addition, any complication after the extraction must also be treated by a doctor who knows how to perform the procedure correctly and appropriately handle complications. When you have toothaches, loosened teeth (such as from gum disease) or other dental problems that make it necessary for you to pull out your own teeth, it’s best that you seek medical help from a dental professional. They will be better equipped with necessary medical tools and expertise needed for safely extracting problem teeth from your mouth.
Reasons to Pull a Tooth
When a tooth is severely damaged or decayed it can be necessary to remove it. It may be possible to save the tooth with a dental crown or implant, but sometimes a tooth extraction is the best option. Pulling a tooth at home is not recommended and can be dangerous. However, there are a few reasons why it could be necessary. Let’s explore these reasons in more detail:
Severe Toothache
Sometimes, toothache can become so severe that it is impossible to carry out basic day-to-day activities. If the pain persists even after an over-the-counter medication and hot/cold compresses, it is best to visit a dentist as soon as possible to determine what could be causing the toothache. In some cases, pulling a tooth may be the best option to relieve the pain.
Severe tooth decay can lead to unabated pain in the affected area, accompanied by swelling and tenderness of the jaw in some cases. In such a situation, extracting the affected tooth can quite often provide much needed relief from a toothache and any other related symptoms. The process of extracting a tooth depends upon how deep the infection has reached – if it is limited only in one corner or halfway up then normally local anesthesia would suffice but if it has spread further inside then general anesthesia might be applied as well.
In addition, if there is a risk of infection spreading from an overcrowded or misaligned set of teeth, extraction might be recommended by your dentist in order to prevent any further health risks for you or your family members who might suffer due to germs present in your mouth which travel via saliva droplets when you talk or eat food with them.
Furthermore, extractions may also be necessary before more advanced treatments such as braces are implemented on patients with misalignment problems so as to ensure that there is adequate space between teeth for braces placement.
Broken Tooth
A broken tooth may require extraction for a variety of reasons. The tooth may be so damaged that it can’t be repaired and the only solution may be to remove the broken pieces. Alternatively, if the nerve of a tooth is exposed through a crack or chip, as is often seen in cases of trauma or decay, it can result in sensitivity, pain and long term damage to the surrounding area. In addition, extensive decay can compromise tooth structure making it too weak to support fillings or crowns.
Extraction may also be recommended if there are overcrowding issues in your mouth and removing teeth is seen as more beneficial than trying to create room with orthodontic treatments such as braces or retainers.
Infected Tooth
An infected (or decayed) tooth is one of the main reasons dentists will recommend that a tooth must be pulled. An infection occurs when bacteria enter the tooth and infect it. Bacteria can enter the tooth via a cavity, cracked or chipped enamel, or from gum disease.
When an infection takes hold in the soft tissue inside a tooth (called the pulp), it will create pressure in the area and lead to inflammation, pain and discomfort.
If left untreated, an infection can spread to other teeth, making treatment more difficult and potentially more costly. Additionally, an infected pulp can damage surrounding tissue and weaken the gums which makes them more prone to further infection.
In some cases, a root canal treatment may be able to save an infected tooth; however, if this is not possible due to extensive damage, then pulling the infected tooth may be necessary in order to stop it from causing further damage elsewhere in your mouth.
Risks of Pulling a Tooth at Home
Pulling a tooth at home can seem like an easy and fast way to deal with a toothache. However, it can be risky to do this yourself and can lead to other issues such as infection, bleeding, and nerve damage. In this article, we will take a look at the potential risks associated with pulling a tooth at home.
Risk of Infection
Pulling a tooth at home has the potential to cause serious complications and might also increase your risk of infection. If your tooth is still inside your mouth, you will be unable to properly sterilize it or the tools that you use to pull it out. This can lead to an increased risk of bacterial infection in the area around the site where the tooth was pulled. Additionally, debris from your teeth inside the mouth or throat can spread germs throughout your body if not removed adequately.
It is also possible that pulling a tooth at home could cause nerve damage, which could result in numbness or tingling in your face or tongue as well as a decrease in sensation in certain parts of your body. In extreme cases, this could even lead to paralysis.
Lastly, pulling a tooth at home can create further issues with crowding of teeth if one is pulled and not replaced with another tooth. This can result in improper alignment of teeth and jaw and difficulty with biting, chewing, speaking and smiling properly. It is important to consult with an oral health professional before attempting to pull a tooth out yourself so that they can assess any risks associated with it and guide you through proper procedure for safely removing teeth from your mouth.
Damage to Other Teeth
When attempting to pull a tooth at home, there is a risk of damaging the surrounding teeth and gums. When using home extraction methods, it’s easy to slip and cause cuts in the gums or surrounding teeth. Improper gripping of the tooth with pliers or forceps can also cause fractures in adjacent teeth. In addition, manual extraction with techniques such as tying a string around the tooth can lead to bigger problems if too much force is used or if everything is not done correctly. The risk for injury increases when the person has not received adequate training to properly perform an extraction.
Therefore, it’s important to avoid pulling teeth at home and instead seek professional help from a dentist or oral surgeon trained in this process.
Incomplete Extraction
Incompletely extracting a tooth at home is a serious risk due to the incompatibility of tools and techniques that may lead to irreparable damage or complete negligence of the tooth. Incomplete extraction often results in the remnant root or part of root still embedded in jawbone. Since amateur tools lack equipment for detailed examination, effort and precision it can often go undetected resulting in serious long-lasting dental problems.
Signs of incomplete extraction include continuing pain, irritation and swelling post the home extraction effort. In such cases, professional help must be sought out immediately. If left untreated further damage such as infection or osteonecrosis may occur leading to a prolonged recovery time with worse outcomes than if professional help had been sought in the first instance.
When to See a Dentist
There are some situations where trying to pull out a tooth at home may be tempting, but it’s always best to seek professional help. Although home remedies can help with pain relief, or even dislodging a tooth, it’s always dangerous and can lead to serious complications.
What are the situations in which you should immediately seek a dentist’s help instead of attempting to do a DIY? Let’s take a look:
Tooth Extraction
Tooth extraction is the removal of a tooth from its socket in the bone. It is a common dental procedure that can be necessary for a variety of reasons, such as when a tooth is decayed, damaged beyond repair, or has advanced periodontal disease. In some cases, when there are crowded teeth and inadequate space in the jawbone or jaws to accommodate the teeth, orthodontic treatment may require extraction to make space for properly aligned teeth.
When considering whether or not to have your tooth extracted by a dentist or oral surgeon during an orthodontic treatment plan, it is important to understand that self-extraction can have serious consequences. Without adequate training in procedures and anesthesia, complications can occur and cause irreversible damage to your mouth and surrounding teeth, including pain and even infection.
For this reason it’s advised that you see a qualified dental health professional for any tooth extractions required during orthodontic treatment rather than attempting any type of at home ‘do-it-yourself’ methods. Experienced dentists will help ensure all recommended treatment is followed carefully before any extraction occurs. Their specialized knowledge about restoring structural stability following extractions is vital for your comfort and safety. They will also be able to provide advice on care after an extraction should this be necessary as part of your treatment plan going forward.
Root Canal
Root canals are a common procedure in dental practice for saving an infected or decayed tooth. Root canal treatment involves removing the diseased or damaged soft tissues from inside the tooth, cleaning and shaping it before finally filling it in with a special material. A crown is generally placed over the top of the tooth afterward to give protection and prevent any further damage or reinfection.
When good dental hygiene practices are followed, a root canal procedure is typically able to restore most natural function back to your tooth. If you have any advice that indicates that something isn’t quite right with one of your teeth, it’s important to contact your dentist as soon as possible. Some indicators that a root canal may be necessary include:
- Sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures
- Dull pain when biting down
- Discoloration of the affected tooth
- Swelling in your gum around the affected area
It’s important to note however, that these symptoms do not always mean you need a root canal treatment. If you feel unsure whether this is necessary, your dentist can check out what’s going on and recommend further actions if required.
Dental Implants
If you are missing teeth, your dentist may recommend a dental implant. A dental implant is a replacement tooth that is made from titanium and shaped like an artificial tooth root. It is surgically inserted into the bone of your jaw and then a replacement tooth or bridge can be attached to it. Dental implants don’t require any special care and are actually much more stable than natural teeth because the titanium fuses with your jawbone as it heals.
Typically, the procedure for getting an implant involves one or more visits to the dentist’s office depending on how many teeth need to be replaced. Before deciding on implants, you should Seek advice from your dentist who will examine your mouth and jaw, x-ray them, and discuss other options with you such as dentures or bridges. Your dentist will also explain what to expect during the entire process so that you know what to expect during surgery, aftercare and recovery time.
Good oral hygiene habits are key in maintaining healthy dental implants once they are placed into your mouth.
- Brushing twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste
- Flossing at least once a day
should help keep plaque away from them and help them last longer. Visiting the dentist for regular check-ups and cleanings will also help ensure that your implants are performing well for the long run.
Conclusion
The takeaway from this discussion is that it is not recommended to attempt to pull a tooth at home. While there are some cases when it may be necessary, attempting to do so without proper tools and technique can not only damage your tooth and socket, but it may also lead to pain and other complications.
If you find yourself in a situation where you must try to remove a tooth on your own, seek advice from a medical professional or dentist before doing anything. The best course of action is always to consult with a dentist, who will be able to make sure the tooth is pulled safely and in a way that minimizes possible harm while providing the best results.
